Simo Valakari urges St Johnstone ‘to compete’ with Celtic

Simo Valakari has urged St Johnstone to ‘compete’ when champions Celtic visit Perth on Wednesday.

The newly promoted Saints will welcome Martin O’Neill’s side to McDiarmid Park three days after defeating Hibs 2-1 at the same venue.

Celtic are the only Scottish Premiership club with a 100% record after five wins from five league games, but the St Johnstone boss insists his side must not just be participants in the game.

“Nothing changes,” Valakari told Saints TV ahead of the visit of Celtic. “We have worked so hard to get here in the Premiership. Now we are here, we are here to compete.

“We know the challenge ahead of us, but we went through those dark, cold days last season to come and play this.

“But we are not just happy to participate. We understand what’s in front of us, but we want to go and compete.”